The movie version of “Fifty Shades of Grey” shattered a few records during its opening weekend. Millions of women felt the need to read E.L. James’s erotic drama about a virginal co-ed and her billionaire BDSM-loving boyfriend and they showed up for the movie, too — and even brought a few men with them.
Over the course of its first four days in theaters, the movie raked in $94.4 million in the U.S., plus $172 million more internationally, and, according to Box Office Mojo, about 32 percent of movie-goers were men.“Fifty Shades of Grey” now holds the record for biggest President’s Day debut. And apparently movie-goers weren’t willing to take any chances that they might miss out on a ticket — either that or they were embarrassed to face box office cashiers. According to Fandango, 29 percent of the domestic tickets sold were purchased through the company, and that’s the biggest percentage for any movie in the company’s 15 years in business. It turns out whips and “play rooms” are better marketing than paper bag puppets.
The “Fifty Shades” box office numbers are more in line with summer superhero-themed action movies than an R-rated romance. (“Guardians of the Galaxy” brought in $94.3 domestically during its opening weekend and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” brought in $95 million.) And while the attendance will almost certainly drop off after the first weekend, “Fifty Shades” has one asset those blockbusters don’t. Given that it isn’t a superhero flick, which would entail loads of expensive special effects, the movie directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, cost just $40 million to make. “Guardians” cost $170 million.
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